Dr. Ali Ettefagh serves as a director of Highmore Global Corporation, an investment company in emerging markets of Eastern Europe, CIS, and the Middle East. He is the co-author of several books on trade conflict, resolution of international trade disputes, conflicts in letters of credit, trade-related banking transactions, sovereign debt, arbitration and dispute resolutions and publications specific to the oil and gas, communication, aviation and finance sectors. Dr. Ettefagh is a member of the executive committee and the board of directors of The Development Foundation, an advisor to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, and an advisor to a number of European companies. Dr. Ettefagh speaks Persian (Farsi), English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Arabic and Turkish.
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Ali Ettefagh
Tehran, Iran
Dr. Ali Ettefagh serves as a director of Highmore Global Corporation, an investment company in emerging markets of Eastern Europe, CIS, and the Middle East.
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I agree with Mr. Ettifagh that actions speak louder than words and in light of the so-called Iranian Presidential "elections" where an out-dated and over-the-hill dictator and his cronies chose to subvert the will of the people and cram the same old tired Ahmedinejad down the throats of Iranians this concept has only been confirmed. It's probably a waste of time for Obama to spend much time on Iran - nothing is changing there soon.
Expect more nuclear weapon construction, interference in the affairs of Lebanon and Palestine and a suppression of freedoms for the people of Iran. At least with Ahmadinejad and Khamenei you can expect exactly what they preach.
It takes two to tango in a conflict. I disagree with the previous poster that it's all on Arabs and Muslims shoulder. How about what we have done to them? Are we responsible for our actions too?
Terrorism and killing innocent civilians is WRONG, no matter if Al Qaeda does it, or Israel does it or the US does it.
Well, Mr Ettefagh may be right about the speech versus deeds, but he avoids the ugly fact that it is only the Arabs and Islamic people themselves that can make the changes. Obama's rhetoric can only provide the support to those inside the Muslim world who can make the changes.
I wonder if the esoteric Mr. Ettefagh would support changing the Arab world's attitude toward Israel from resentment and anti Semitism to acceptance and respect.
I wonder if he would encourage the Palestinians to accept the best deal they can get rather than the one they dream of.
I wonder if he would encourage the emergence of a more moderate and tolerant Islam that would in the Arabic language overtly reject terrorism against ANYONE.
I wonder if he would petition the Saudis to allow freedom of religion and rights for women using his global investment firm and inspiration from the words of Obama.
Mr. Ettefagh forgets that there is really little American can do. It is up to the people in the region.
Well, Mr Ettefagh may be right about the speech versus deeds, but he avoids the ugly fact that it is only the Arabs and Islamic people themselves that can make the changes. Obama's rhetoric can only provide the support to those inside the Muslim world who can make the changes.
I wonder if the esoteric Mr. Ettefagh would support changing the Arab world's attitude toward Israel from resentment and anti Semitism to acceptance and respect.
I wonder if he would encourage the Palestinians to accept the best deal they can get rather than the one they dream of.
I wonder if he would encourage the emergence of a more moderate and tolerant Islam that would in the Arabic language overtly reject terrorism against ANYONE.
I wonder if he would petition the Saudis to allow freedom of religion and rights for women using his global investment firm and inspiration from the words of Obama.
Mr. Ettefagh forgets that there is really little American can do. It is up to the people in the region.
I believe that Mr. Ettefagh is right-on regarding the speech-vs-deed.
On the flip side, regardless of how much good will president Obama has towards the region, he has to work within the political confines of a US presidency. We have the triple threat of an entrenched military-industrial-complex plus the Oil-cartel in addition to the heavily fortified Zionistas. So for the rest of the world trying to see concrete actions I would have to say that a good speech is a good beginning. Putting miniscule pressure on Israel is a good beginning.
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All Comments (5)
I agree with Mr. Ettifagh that actions speak louder than words and in light of the so-called Iranian Presidential "elections" where an out-dated and over-the-hill dictator and his cronies chose to subvert the will of the people and cram the same old tired Ahmedinejad down the throats of Iranians this concept has only been confirmed. It's probably a waste of time for Obama to spend much time on Iran - nothing is changing there soon.
Expect more nuclear weapon construction, interference in the affairs of Lebanon and Palestine and a suppression of freedoms for the people of Iran. At least with Ahmadinejad and Khamenei you can expect exactly what they preach.
June 13, 2009 3:23 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on June 13, 2009 15:23
It takes two to tango in a conflict. I disagree with the previous poster that it's all on Arabs and Muslims shoulder. How about what we have done to them? Are we responsible for our actions too?
Terrorism and killing innocent civilians is WRONG, no matter if Al Qaeda does it, or Israel does it or the US does it.
June 9, 2009 2:39 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on June 9, 2009 14:39
Well, Mr Ettefagh may be right about the speech versus deeds, but he avoids the ugly fact that it is only the Arabs and Islamic people themselves that can make the changes. Obama's rhetoric can only provide the support to those inside the Muslim world who can make the changes.
I wonder if the esoteric Mr. Ettefagh would support changing the Arab world's attitude toward Israel from resentment and anti Semitism to acceptance and respect.
I wonder if he would encourage the Palestinians to accept the best deal they can get rather than the one they dream of.
I wonder if he would encourage the emergence of a more moderate and tolerant Islam that would in the Arabic language overtly reject terrorism against ANYONE.
I wonder if he would petition the Saudis to allow freedom of religion and rights for women using his global investment firm and inspiration from the words of Obama.
Mr. Ettefagh forgets that there is really little American can do. It is up to the people in the region.
June 9, 2009 11:19 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on June 9, 2009 11:19
Well, Mr Ettefagh may be right about the speech versus deeds, but he avoids the ugly fact that it is only the Arabs and Islamic people themselves that can make the changes. Obama's rhetoric can only provide the support to those inside the Muslim world who can make the changes.
I wonder if the esoteric Mr. Ettefagh would support changing the Arab world's attitude toward Israel from resentment and anti Semitism to acceptance and respect.
I wonder if he would encourage the Palestinians to accept the best deal they can get rather than the one they dream of.
I wonder if he would encourage the emergence of a more moderate and tolerant Islam that would in the Arabic language overtly reject terrorism against ANYONE.
I wonder if he would petition the Saudis to allow freedom of religion and rights for women using his global investment firm and inspiration from the words of Obama.
Mr. Ettefagh forgets that there is really little American can do. It is up to the people in the region.
June 9, 2009 11:17 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on June 9, 2009 11:17
I believe that Mr. Ettefagh is right-on regarding the speech-vs-deed.
On the flip side, regardless of how much good will president Obama has towards the region, he has to work within the political confines of a US presidency. We have the triple threat of an entrenched military-industrial-complex plus the Oil-cartel in addition to the heavily fortified Zionistas. So for the rest of the world trying to see concrete actions I would have to say that a good speech is a good beginning. Putting miniscule pressure on Israel is a good beginning.
June 8, 2009 7:18 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on June 8, 2009 19:18